INTO THE WOODS Begins Tonight at Randolph Theatre

Toronto's musical theatre fans awaiting the Christmas release of Disney's Into the Woods will be able to get a summertime fairy tale fix with the Randolph Academy's production of the Stephen Sondheim musical. The Academy's 2014 graduating class presents Into the Woods, directed and choreographed by Timothy French, from tonight, July 31 to August 9, 2014 at the Randolph Theatre.

This Tony Award-winning musical intertwines the plots of several fairy tales as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), and Cinderella help a childless baker and his wife undo a curse and discover the consequences of careless wishes and foolhardy quests.

The cast of Into the Woods features a troupe of emerging artists in their final year of professional training at the Randolph Academy's Triple Threat college program. Leading them on the journey is Dora-nominated director Timothy French, who has directed and choreographed at the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Soulpepper, Citadel, MTC, and The Grand. Jeff Madden, star of Jersey Boys, serves as assistant director/choreographer.

"Once upon a time I wished to have the chance to direct a production of Into The Woods, a musical that is a joyous intricate romp of absurdity, wit and fierce intelligence,' says French. "The Randolph Academy granted that wish, giving me the opportunity to take a journey with a cast of young people who have a lot in common with the characters in this production. They all began with their own wish that brought them to this school. They have learned about themselves and are now about to graduate into the unknown of their adult lives, but with newfound confidence, self-awareness, and a sense of family and community."

The team behind Into the Woods includes music director Jeannie Wyse, former vocal coach on CBC series Over the Rainbow, and Children's Musical Director for Mirvish's The Sound of Music. She also served as Assistant Conductor/Keyboardist for the Toronto run of Jersey Boys. Set design is by Anna Treusch, recently nominated for a Dora Award for costume design of UnSpun Theatre's The Tin Drum. Lighting design is by Siobhán Sleath, a two-time recipient of the Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Award (2010, 2011).

Into the Woods premiered in 1986 at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre and in November 1987 at Broadway's Martin Beck Theater. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, it won for Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason). It also won Best Musical awards from Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics' Circle, and a Grammy Award for its cast recording. Since then it has received professional productions, including London and Broadway revivals, all over the world, including in some open air settings.

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